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Hunters found dead in Sprague Lake

Autopsies planned for deceased

SPRAGUE — Two duck hunters were found dead in Sprague Lake after their boat capsized Sunday, Jan. 12.

The deceased were identified as Rock Dwayne Bass, 61, and Gary Thomas Myers, 69, both of Spokane.

According to Adams County Sheriff Dale Wagner, the two men left their homes to go duck hunting on Sprague Lake earlier that day were expected home around 5 p.m.

Their last known communication with family was at 1:45 p.m. “on the lake somewhere,” Wagner said.

Family members lost contact with the duo and could not get any phone calls or messages in or out, he said.

“We responded, located the vehicle and trailer parked at the boat launch on the Adams County side of the lake,” Wagner said. “We contacted rescue from Spokane and they brought a boat down and a helicopter to search the lake. Around 11:45 p.m., they located a capsized boat and the two deceased men in the same general area of the lake.”

Wagner did not say in the men drowned or died from exposure or some other cause.

An autopsy is planned to determine the causes of the men’s deaths.

“Both were deceased when located,” he said, noting next of kin were notified prior to the initial search.

Wagner said four of his staff supported the search as well as personnel from Lincoln County and Spokane Search and Rescue.

On Sunday, winds were call at the lake and the temperature reached about 39 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.

 

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